Our group’s research in Optics and Spectroscopy is focused on both the basic science and engineering of excitonic processes in various novel nanomaterials and hybrid structures. We provide synergistic studies of the intrinsic mechanisms pertinent to exciton/photon interconversions in nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs), perovskite materials, 2D atomic layers and integrated hybrid structures. We leverage this knowledge to fabricate “designer” materials and structures where individual properties of the components combine to create synergistic effects and enhance the desired properties. We specialize in advanced optical characterization techniques, including femtosecond transient dynamics and time-resolved optical microscopy and in the synthesis and surface processing of nanocrystalline materials such as colloidal QDs and inorganic perovskite nanocrystals. These concepts find applications in emerging photovoltaic designs, light-emitting devices, quantum information processing, molecular recognition and in the general advancement of the fundamental studies of individual quantum emitters.